Perry Dunn Jr., the first African American baseball player from Augusta to be drafted by a Major League Baseball organization, has turned his lifelong passion into a community project. After years on the professional circuit, Dunn returned to his hometown with a vision: to resurrect the city‑league baseball scene that once thrived in downtown Augusta.
A Community‑Driven Initiative
The academy is the brainchild of Dunn and his partners, Wilbur Gordon and Jerry Hunter, who together bring decades of experience on and off the diamond. Their shared goal is to give local kids a safe, structured environment where baseball skills are paired with mentorship and academic support.
The inaugural tournament game played this week was more than a contest; it was a statement that organized baseball can once again anchor neighborhood gatherings. The match, held on a modest field behind the academy’s headquarters, drew families, coaches, and local officials eager to see the program in action.
Beyond the field, the program offers tutoring, life‑skills workshops, and a pathway to higher education, aiming to steer youngsters away from the streets and toward opportunities that blend athletic development with personal growth. Organizers say the first tournament is just the beginning of a broader strategy to embed baseball into the fabric of Augusta’s neighborhoods.
City officials and local businesses have taken notice, offering support through sponsorships and volunteer coaching. If the academy’s model proves sustainable, it could serve as a template for other underserved communities seeking to revive sports traditions while addressing social challenges.